S-4919

AN ACT Relating to a pilot program for supervision of juvenile offenders with mental disorders and chemical abuse disorders; adding new sections to chapter 13.40 RCW; creating a new section; providing an effective date; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that juvenile offenders who have co-occurring mental and chemical abuse disorders have a greater risk of committing additional offenses than those who do not have co-occurring disorders. The legislature finds that juveniles who receive more extensive postrelease discharge planning and community mental health services are less likely to commit additional offenses. The legislature intends that juveniles participating in the study created by this act receive research-based, integrated, and highly individualized mental health and chemical abuse treatment that emphasizes family and community involvement, low caseloads, home or residence-based services, is time-determinate to the extent appropriate, focuses on the juvenile's peer and social structures, promotes reduction of factors associated with reoffending, and emphasizes prosocial contacts and behaviors.

(2) The legislature finds that juvenile offenders with co-occurring disorders are likely to lack necessary skills or emotional stability to appropriately deal with the consequences of their disorders or to even understand how or where to seek assistance. The legislature also finds that juvenile offenders with co-occurring disorders are more likely than not to lack the education necessary to obtain full or meaningful employment opportunities.

(3) It is the intent of the legislature to create a pilot program to provide for postrelease planning for, and treatment of, juvenile offenders with co-occurring disorders in order to determine the most effective treatment for juveniles in this situation. The pilot program created by this act shall include a rigorous and objective evaluation component.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 13.40 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The secretary shall select and contract with a private or nonprofit provider to provide a program of specialized access and integrated services to juvenile offenders who are identified as having co-occurring disorders and selected for participation in the pilot program created by this act prior to release from total confinement within the juvenile rehabilitation administration. The program shall enroll no more juvenile offenders than the number that can be accommodated within the appropriated funding level and shall seek to fill any vacancies that occur.

(2) Juvenile offenders identified by the secretary and selected by the program as having co-occurring disorders and a high risk of reoffending are eligible for consideration for enrollment in the program. Criteria for admission into the program shall include a determination by the secretary that the offender:

(a) Has a mental disorder as defined in chapter 71.05 RCW, or is a severely emotionally disturbed child or a seriously disturbed person as defined in chapter 71.24 RCW and needs continued mental health treatment;

(b) Has a chemical abuse disorder, as determined by the secretary;

(d) Is unable or unlikely to obtain appropriate treatment from other sources; and

(e) Will remain under the supervision of the secretary for at least four months following release from total confinement.

(3) The program enrollment shall, to the extent possible, reflect the demographics of juvenile offenders having co-occurring disorders and who are in total confinement under the jurisdiction of the secretary.

(4) The provider shall provide integrated and highly individualized mental health and chemical abuse treatment to persons enrolled in the program. The services shall be aimed at:

(a) Lowering the risk of reoffending;

(b) Improving the education level and vocational opportunities;

(d) Achieving abstinence from unlawful use of controlled substances and alcohol;

(e) Improving the mental health status and stability of the juvenile; and

(f) Increasing prosocial behavior.

(5) The services offered in the program shall:

(a) Include intensive, community-based case management and treatment with a client-to-staff ratio not to exceed seven offenders to each case manager;

(b) Be available at any time;

(c) Be based on a collaboration with the appropriate department employees during the preparation of a release plan for the offender, prior to discharge, and in ongoing supervision of the offender by the secretary;

(d) Include all appropriate medications, including the full range of psychotropic medications, as well as monitoring and counseling to support offender understanding, acceptance, and compliance with medication regimens;

(e) Include a systematic effort to engage offenders and their families, where possible, to continuously involve themselves in current and long-term treatment and appropriate habilitative activities;

(f) Include classes appropriate to the clinical and living needs of the offender and to his or her level of understanding;

(g) Provide assistance in applying for all appropriate federal, state, and private support for which the offender or his or her family is eligible;

(h) Include access to daily activities such as school, drop-in centers, prevocational and vocational training and jobs, and volunteer activities.

(6) The program provided for in this section must begin providing services to selected juveniles by September 1, 2000.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 13.40 RCW to read as follows:

The Washington state institute for public policy shall evaluate the implementation and outcomes of the pilot program created under this act. The institute shall submit an initial report to the legislature and governor not later than December 1, 2000, and annually thereafter. The report shall include the following:

(1) An assessment of the implementation of the pilot program across the state;

(2) A statistical analysis of the reoffense and reinstitutionalization rate by participants in the program;

(3) A qualitative description of the services provided in the program;

(4) Recommendations for any modification of the services and funding levels to increase the effectiveness of the program;

(5) Whether the participants improve their education attendance and skills;

(6) Improvements in employability;

(7) Verifiable reductions in and abstinence from unlawful use of controlled substances and alcohol;

(8) Compliance with medication regimens;

(9) Increase in prosocial contacts and behaviors, including peer interactions and free-time activities and stability of appropriate living situations; and

(10) Reductions in the incidents of inpatient psychatric placements and the use of acute care services.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect April 1, 2000.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Sections 1 through 3 of this act expire July 1, 2004.